Fiji's Ra province to become major contributor to sugar industry

The Fiji province of Ra is expected to become a major contributor to the country's sugar industry.

The Chief of Ra and the Turaga na Tui Navitilevu, Ratu Meli Bolobolo, who has vowed to lead cane planting on unused land told the interim government they plan to boost cane production in the province.

The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Sugar, Manasa Vaniqi, says Ra has an abundance of land but there is a need to utilise unused land wisely because most areas which are good for cane farming have been left idle.

Mr Vaniqi says the Government and the Fiji Sugar Corporation are aware of the challenges of high transportation costs for rural areas in transporting harvest to the mill.

He says the government is doing its best to help cane farmers in Ra and is impressed with the positive reactions on cane farming from the Council.